Colostomy washing device



Feb. 26, 1957 AN 'COLOSTOMY WASHING DEVICE Filed April 15, 1955 United States PatentO COLOSTOMYWASHINGDEVIGE ,rc esi, Eras aco, Can

ppli atnn ant .5. 1255; Seria No. 501.59

a Claims. or. 128-483) This invention relates to equipment for use in the nurs ing care of patients after surgical operations, .and particularly to a device for use in the case of a patient after a colostomy operation.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a receptacle to be applied to a patient to receive discharged matter from a patient after a colostomy operation, which will minimize discomfort to the patient and which will facilitate the washing and drying of the receptacle by a nurse.

It is also among the objects of the invention to provide a device of the character described provided with accessories which may be readily attached and removed as required to improve the effectiveness of the device and to simplify its use and care by patient and nurse.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of a pad arranged to be interposed between the receptacle and the patient to prevent irritation, and to afford comfort for the wearer; and to provide fittings which will facilitate the washing of the receptacle, and prevent misplacement of parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flushing attachment for colostomy bags, and the like, which may be easily and effectively attached and detached by the nurse with a minimum expenditure of time and effort and which will afford increased efficiency in the use and care of the bag.

The invention has other objects and features of advantage, some of which with the foregoing, will be explained in connection with the distinctive embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the present specification.

In the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the device of the present invention with the flushing attachments in place thereon, parts being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 1, parts I being broken away,

Fig. 3 is a top view of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a vertical midsectional view of the abdominal pad as applied to the receptacle,

Fig. 5 is a broken transverse sectional detail showing one manner in which the flushing head may be releaslably clipped to the receptacle,

Fig. 6 is a fragmental sectional detail illustrating the spring expansion of the flushing attachment clips, and

Fig. 7 is a fragmental sectional detail of a closure for the receptacle.

The device of the present invention comprises a thin flexible bag 1 of plastic or equivalent material, such as commonly used in the care of patients after a colostomy or similar surgical operation. The bag 1 is provided with the usual abdominal plate 2 having an opening 3 arranged to seat over the incision in the patien-ts abdomen. The plate 2 is made of metal or other stiff material, and is relatively inflexible.

In ordinary practice, the plate 2 is placed directly over the incision, in contact with the surrounding abdominal ice are

Ofi e au d i i at on an om In accordance the present invention, a pad 4 of soft fibrous material is applied to the plate 2 around the opening 3 to provide a cushion between the plate and the patients abdomen. The pad 4 may be made of felt, fabric or matted material of any suitable character in the form of an annulus shaped to engage the plate and fit into the opening 3. Preferably. the pad is formed with an inte rnal annular groove into which the inner edge of plate 2 may fit, as best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. 'IThe pad is sufliciently resilient to beheld in place during normal use, and to permit removal for washing and sterilizing.

During use, the ends of the bag may be folded to suit the convenience of nurse and patient, and if desired may be held closed or in folded position by a spring clip 6, as indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

When the bag is removed from the patient for washing, a flushing head, designated in general by the numeral 7, is fitted onto the upper end of the bag, and a drainage fitting 8 is fitted onto the bottom of the bag 1, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The flushing head 7 is provided with an inlet connection 9 over which is fitted a cap 10 having a nipple 11 arranged to engage a hose 12 extending to a water supply tap, not shown. The cap 10 is preferably suspended by a chain 13 to guard against .loss or misplacement when the head 7 is not in use. The head is preferably made of sheet rubber or rubberized material of flexible character which may be collapsed and extended as desired. A perforated V-s-haped spray plate 14 is provided within the head 7. The head 7, with its lower edge fitted over the plate 14, is arranged to be attached onto the upper end of the bag 1 by a clip 16 having cooperating clip bands 17 and 18 upon its upper and lower edges respectively. The pairs of bands 17 and 18 are arranged to be spread to receive the ends of the head 7 and the bag 1, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, to hold the same in assembled relation for washing. The ends of the clip 16 are preferably bendable inwardly to a semi-collapsed relation for introduction onto the top of the bag 1, the ends then being sprung outwardly by springs 19 into expanded position for holding the top of the bag open for flushing.

The outlet fitting 8 is attached to the bottom of the bag 1 by a clip flange 21 in a similar manner. A reduced tubular extension 22 is arranged to extend downwardly into the bowl of a toilet to direct material into the toilet and prevent splashing during the washing operation.

A cover plate 23 is suspended fro-m the head 7 by a flexible tape 24, and is arranged to overlie the opening 2 and pad 3 when the bag is removed from the patient and prepared for washing. The plate 23 prevents spray of water through opening 2 during the washing operation.

In operation, the bag is folded and applied to a patient in accordance with conventional practice, except that the pad 4 is applied to provide a cushion between the patient and the bag.

When it is desired to wash out the bag, it is removed from the patient and the flushing head 7 .and drainage fitting 8 are clipped onto the ends of the bag. The drainage fitting is placed in the bowl of a toilet, and water is directed into the flushing head 7 through the hose 12. The water supply is directed into a spray by the perforated plate 14, and the spray is directed .angularly against the walls of the bag as it is held suspended over the toilet. When sufiiciently washed, the head 7 and fitting 8 are removed, and the bag may then be suspended, for example by a closure clip 6, while it drains and dries. The cap 10 and plate 23 remain attached to the head 7 by means of the chain 13 and tape 24 respectively, so that they cannot become misplaced while the head 7 is not in use.

' enemas 'It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the shape, size, material, and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is'claimed is:

1. In combination with a colostomy bag having open ends, a flushing head having a perforated spray plate therein, an inlet fitting connected to the head for connecting the same to a water supply, and a spring clip for detachably securing the flushing head to the top of the bag.

2. In combination with a colostomy bag having open ends, a fiushinghead having an inlet fitting, means for connecting the inlet fitting to a water supply, a perforated spray plate within the head, spring clip means detachably securing the head to the top of the bag, and a drainage fittingdetachably engageable with the lower end of the bag.

3. In combination with a colostomy bag having open ends and an opening in a side wall thereof, a flushing head, means for attaching the head to one end of the bag, a cover plate suspended firom the head for covering the side wall opening, means for directing a supply of water through the head into the bag, and a drainage fitting detaohably engageable with the other end'of the bag.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,154,202 Gricks Apr. 11, 1939 2,205,270 Perry June 18, 1940 2,438,073 Sauer Mar. 16, 1948 2,689,567 Welch Sept. 21, 1954 

